Choosing the Right Print

Media and Methods..

of the printing and typesetting industry

Thermal-based technology is perfect for mobile printing because of the high print

quality output, media flexibility and the low-maintenance, durable nature of the

equipment. Impact printers break more easily in industrial enviroments,can lack

the print quality to produce scannable barcodes, and contain no optimisations’ for

adhesive label media.

There are two thermal printing methods, direct therman and thermal transfer.

Each method uses a thermal printhead that applies heat on the surface undergoing

marking. Thermal transfer printing heats a ribbon to melt durable, long-lasting

images onto a wide variety of materials. Direct thermal printing does not use a

ribbon instead it creates an image directly on the chemically treated label material.

Direct thermal media is more sensitive to lightm heat, and abrasion, which reduces

the overall label life.

Direct thermal is the dominant method used in mobile printing because of the

simplicity and conveniences of the technology are tru advantages in mobile

applications. Additionally, the label, receipt or document printed from a mobile

printer typically has a relatively short life, again, proving the need for direct

thermal over thermal transfer. However, in applications where a longer-lasted

label or more durable label material is needed, Zebra offers the only thermal

transfer mobile printer on the market, the P4T

Direct Thermal Applications

Direct thermal printers can satisfy most mobile application needs. Top-coated

media resists ultraviolet light and remains reaadable for years, eliminating the

problem of receipts that fade and curl after a few days.

Mant Types of liner-less media are also available, which eliminate the waste and

disposal problems associated with peel-away liners used with adhesive labels.

Thermal Transfer Application

Thermal label printers are ideal for barcode label printing

because they produce accurate, high-quality images with

excellent edge definition. Thermal printers are engineered

to print within tight tolerances and to produce the exact

bar widths that successful barcode printing and scanning

require.

The Zebra P4T/RP4T printer takes thermal transfer

technology to the next level by delivering superior image

durability (barcodes/text/graphics), optical RFID and

advanced wireless connectivity options. Thermal media is

also available to resist oil, water, blood, alcohol and

common industrial solvents.

Typical mobile printers accept a variety of label, tag, ticket, and other media for producing durable receipts,

invoices; return labels, inspection labels, and other labels and documents. Users can customise blank labels, tag

and receipt stock to include colour, graphics and company logos, with the variable text and barcodes printed-on-

demand from the mobile printer. While the majority of route accounting customers accept 4-inch wide delivery

content on labels that are applied on forms. This satisfies customers’ desires to keep using familiar forms, while

eliminating handwriting and manual recording